If you’re at the point now where you can confidently tell a Merlot from a Malbec and you’re recognising the names of the vineyards that produce your wine, we think you’ve eclipsed the stage of a casual wine drinker. In fact, it looks like you’re well on your way to becoming a bonafide connoisseur!
To make sure this ever-growing collection is in good hands, you’re going to need a reliable cooler. Just like the wines you drink, there are nuances that one should be familiar with when buying a rehydration station. So, to help out, we’ve compiled all the information you'll need into a simple guide and list of our favourite products to buy from sites like John Lewis, Argos and Amazon.
Quick List - Top Wine Coolers
Cookology
A Classy Wine Cooler That Can Home Any Style of Wine
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Table of Contents
While it initially may seem like a simple purchase, there are still many subtleties to consider when buying a wine cooler. In this section, we’ll take a look at the most critical features to think about and compare.
The first choice comes down to how much room you have in your kitchen. Do you have the capacity to hold another appliance? If so, you could opt for a freestanding cooler. Or would you prefer it to be integrated to save floor space?
Freestanding wine coolers are the most readily available, and usually the cheapest option. They can be placed anywhere in the house and, as they’re freestanding, they are capable of being wider and taller and therefore often have a higher capacity.
Although they can be placed anywhere you desire, it is worth putting them somewhere where the outside temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much, as you would with a standard refrigerator.
The biggest advantage of integrated coolers is that they're great for homes where space is at a premium as they can be slid underneath countertops or built into cabinets. This look also provides a neat and streamlined finish to a style-conscious kitchen.
The downside is that they usually come with pretty standard dimensions, so you’ll have to make sure they fit the spot you would like to install them in. Also, due to this, they can be limited in their capacity and often store fewer bottles than freestanding models.
When it comes to wines, they need taking care of! If you store them in a place where the temperature is too warm, you could end up ageing them too quickly, resulting in a loss of aroma and flavour. Conversely, if it's too cold, the wine can freeze which in turn can push out the cork.
For these reasons, you must identify what types of wine you want to be storing and at what temperatures they require. If you like to mix it up with different styles of wine, then you’re going to need a cooler that has a good range of temperatures.
Ideally, your purchase should work between 7°C–18°C, as this is flexible enough to work well for whites, rosés, and reds. If you also want to store champagne, then look for a product with an even lower minimum temperature.
Another question to pose is how many temperature zones you need. The answer to this will depend on what you plan on using your cooler for: serving, storage, or both.
If you particularly favour one type of wine and you want to keep your bottles at a constant temperature, be that either for storage or serving, then a single-zone cooler will do the job adequately.
If your collection includes different variations of reds and whites, you’ll require a dual-zone cooler. They are more expensive but will provide you with a much more adaptable appliance – for example, if you want to store a red whilst having a white ready to serve, this won't be a problem.
Light could rightly be considered wine’s natural adversary. This is because UV rays can prematurely age wine, hence why most companies use dark or coloured bottles to protect their product.
To avoid this, you’ll want to check that the door of your purchase (if it is see-through or glass) is UV protected.
Also, while bulbs won’t age the wine, they could potentially fade the labels, something no good collector wants to happen. To sidestep this issue, look for a device that uses LED bulbs.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the capacity of your wine cooler. Choosing a cooler that you outgrow quickly will be frustrating and a waste of money. Equally, picking one that is bigger than your needs will force it to work harder to cool empty space, hiking up those electricity bills.
To find what is right for you, consider your wine collection and how many bottles you have on hand at any given time. Then, add between 25 and 50% depending on how much more you would like your collection to grow.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Klarstein Vinesse Wine Fridge Cooler|10027674 | ![]() | An Absolute All-Star All-Rounder | |
2 | Subcold Viva16 Tabletop Wine Fridge|VIVA16LED-BL | ![]() | As Cool as a Cucumber | |
3 | Bush Dual Zone Wine Cooler|WDZ46 | ![]() | For the Enthusiasts Whose Thirst Can't Be Quenched | |
4 | Cookology Freestanding Undercounter Fridge Cabinet|CWC301BK | ![]() | A Classy Wine Cooler That Can Home Any Style of Wine | |
5 | Russell Hobbs Freestanding Wine Cooler|RH34WC1 | ![]() | Save Yourself Some Serious Fridge Space With This Cooler | |
6 | Kalamera Silent Wine Fridge |KR-12A2E | ![]() | A Cooler for Those Who Want to Drink and Not Collect | |
7 | Klarstein Vivo Wine Cellar|HEA3 | ![]() | Chic Stainless Steel to Complement Kitchens With Natural Woods | |
8 | John Lewis & Partners Under Counter Wine Cooler|JLWF608 | ![]() | A Big Capacity to Fit All Your Favourites | |
9 | Husky Reflections Drinks Cooler|HUS-HN6 | ![]() | Taste the Future With This Contemporary Reflective Design | |
10 | Miele Integrated Wine Cabinet|KWT6322UG | ![]() | Utilise Remote Control Technology With This Advanced Cooler |
Perfect for those who are short on space, this wine cooler can work either as an integrated under-the-counter option or as freestanding appliance. It has dual temperature zones for different types of wines as well as a double-insulated glass door, so you can rest assured the climate inside won't fluctuate.
Inside, the LED light shows that this is not only a functional appliance but also a piece of modern electrical furniture, giving your kitchen a touch of class. While we wish the temperature dropped just 1°C lower on the minimum side, most people aren't going to notice the difference this makes.
This premium cooler comes with one of the best temperature ranges of all the products in our ranking, and even offers the lowest temperature, 3°C. We don't know if that is quite useful for wines, but if you're prone to having a bottle of vodka as part of your bar collection, it might just be perfect.
It also has a double-glazed, sturdy door, three chrome wire shelves and even comes with a security lock and key – ideal for keeping any young paws out! Plus, it comes with a 2-year warranty should you experience any issues.
If you're really looking to up that collection, then you're going to need a big cooler. And ideally, it'll be one that can offer multiple temperature zones so you can include several different styles. Luckily, this cooler from Bush does all of that, and at a competitive price too!
The cooler has five wooden shelves which can hold up to 46 bottles of wine, as well as dual temperature zones. One feature we particularly love, however, is the anti-vibration system, which means it won't make a big racket when you're showing off your latest Shiraz at a dinner party.
This Cookology wine cooler comes with a double-glazed glass door to help maintain a constant temperature, a luxurious-looking LED inside light, and temperature range that can accommodate pretty much any bottle you could possibly desire.
In addition to this, the shelves are made from wood to prevent condensation and they are also capable of sliding out, which should make getting your bottles out that little bit easier. There are three finishes available (steel, black, and white) to match to your decor as you like.
This wine cooler from Russell Hobbs comes with six shelves and an additional bottom basket that can store up to 34 bottles of wine. It has a rather stylish design, with its sophisticated black finish and stainless steel inner cabinet, as well as a smooth LED display.
The buttons allow for the owner to control the temperature between 5-18 °C. Purchasing this cooler isn't only going to allow you to keep your wine in better condition, but if you like holding over 30 bottles at a time, it's going to save you a tonne of fridge space too!
This compact little cooler is perfect for those that want to drink their wine at the right serving, but aren't too interested in procuring a large collection. The cooler comes with a tempered mirror glass door that will protect the bottles from UV intrusion.
Unfortunately, the only disadvantage of this appliance is the range of temperatures. With a minimum temperature of 10°C, you'll have to transfer wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay to a separate, colder fridge before serving. On the other hand, if you're a fan of reds or other wines, this won't be as much of an issue.
With its stainless steel finish, this wine cooler will complement kitchens both with natural woods and trendy industrial vibes. The cooler itself has a very respectable 26 bottle capacity, as well as a more-than-sufficient temperature range of 5-18 °C.
The downside is that we find it unlikely that the average wine collector will want to use all their space for 26 bottles of the same type of wine, which is what will happen due to the single temperature zone.
Capable of holding up to 38 bottles of wine, it's safe to say this wine cooler has space for all your favourites. It holds a consistent temperature anywhere between 5 and 16°C, and has dual temperature zones so you don't have to worry about serving warm whites or chilled reds.
It has all the features you'd want for an integrated model – a very low noise level, a cool white LED lighting to make it easier to see what you're picking in the evening, and a reversible door to fit exactly where you like in the kitchen. Again, it is somewhat of an investment, though no doubt a worthy one for wine enthusiasts looking for quality.
If you're looking for something to complement a modern kitchen, this sleek reflective cooler could be perfect. Not only does it have a smart look, but the touch screen operation makes this a purchase for those who like living in the future.
The cooler is freestanding and can hold 12 bottles, which should be more than enough for households requiring something compact. Our only qualm is that, alongside its single zone, the temperature only goes as low as 8°C – a shame if you're hoping to keep whites and champagnes which require chillier conditions.
First up, this integrated offering from Miele. Whether you're looking to store or serve reds, whites or rosés, this cooler has the functionality to accommodate any needs thanks to its dual temperature zones. All of the functions are controlled via a snazzy touch-sensitive panel that can even connect to Wi-Fi and be operated remotely.
Furthermore, your wine will be protected with UV door paint and LED inside lighting. The downside is that you could probably buy your next car with the amount it costs! Still, if you've got the cash and you're willing, you won't be disappointed.
Wondering how to get started on your up-and-coming vino collection and which meals to match them with? Hopefully our related articles will please your palate!
No. 1: Klarstein|Vinesse Wine Fridge Cooler|10027674
No. 2: Subcold|Viva16 Tabletop Wine Fridge|VIVA16LED-BL
No. 3: Bush|Dual Zone Wine Cooler|WDZ46
No. 4: Cookology|Freestanding Undercounter Fridge Cabinet|CWC301BK
No. 5: Russell Hobbs|Freestanding Wine Cooler|RH34WC1
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